Day 2 – International Children’s Book Festival 2026
Sat, October 10, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Bilingual Book Fair for Children and Teens
Dive into the fascinating world of children’s and young adult literature! Our bilingual children’s book fair at the DAI Library invites you to explore the diversity of German- and English-language books for young readers.
In conjunction with the International Children’s Book Festival, our partners Murkelei Heidelberg and Sandra’s Bookshop are presenting a carefully curated selection of high-quality books to browse, peruse, and discover.
Whether it’s a lovingly illustrated picture book, an exciting nonfiction title, or a thought-provoking young adult novel—there’s something here to delight readers of all ages!
Language: German & English
Duration: 6h
Location: Library
Recommended age: all
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Hans-Bernhard Petermann
Philosophizing with Rigo & Rosa
Workshop
Free admission – Registration required
Philosophizing with Rigo and Rosa, two characters from children’s books? How is that supposed to work? – It’s simple: When Rosa, the little mouse, confronts Rigo, the zoo leopard, with the question at the beginning of the second book: “Rigo? Where has our sense of wonder gone? You must be amazed that a mouse dares to come into your enclosure. And I must be amazed that I’m not your breakfast, but your friend.”—And all philosophers know this—or should know it—or at least learn it: wonder and amazement are the foundation of all philosophy.
The conversations between Rigo and Rosa—artfully rendered with philosophical insight by Lorenz Pauli and complemented by Kathrin Schärer’s astonishing illustrations—offer wonderful and instructive opportunities to engage in philosophical reflection alongside Rigo and Rosa on questions that range from seemingly mundane to existentially profound.
Dr. Hans-Bernhard Petermannis a philosopher and chairman of theLeseLebenassociation, which promotes language and reading culture among children. For over 50 years, children have been philosophizing with him—in his roles as a teacher, university lecturer, and long-time director of the philosophy courses at the Hector Children’s Academy in Heidelberg, among others. Through his programs, he invites children to ask curious questions, reflect together, and develop their own answers.
Duration: 60–75 min
Location: Meeting room
Recommended age: for young people aged 9 to 13 who are interested in language and thinking
Free admission.
Registration requiredat:kibu-festival@dai-heidelberg.de
Space is limited.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Shared Reading
Free admission – registration required
The idea behind Shared Reading is simple and powerful: people let words sink in—no matter where they come from or how old they are. A group meets in a safe space. Together, we read aloud, section by section, a story and a poem from world literature. Along the way, we pause, reflect, and discuss what we’ve read. No prior knowledge is required; everyone can join in.
Reading Facilitator:Tom Young
Tom Young-Wolf has been leading Shared Reading groups since 2014. Before moving to Germany in 2018, he worked for The Reader in Liverpool (UK). Today, he leads a Shared Reading group once a month at the Karlstorbahnhof. He is a teacher and lives in Heidelberg.
Language: English
Duration: 1 hour
Location: Makerspace
Recommended age: 10 and up
Free admission.
Registration requiredat:kibu-festival@dai-heidelberg.de
Space is limited.
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Andrea Wandinger
How does an idea become a book?
Workshop Discussion
How does an everyday observation become a book? Illustrator and author Andrea Wandinger takes children behind the scenes of her non-fiction picture book*Im Park* andshows how, step by step, a book takes shape from initial sketches, careful observation, and exciting research. Together, participants will discover how text and images work together, why different materials and drawing techniques bring stories to life, and how illustrations can be used to vividly convey even complex topics. A workshop discussion that inspires a desire to look closely, draw, and tell stories.
Andrea Wandingeris a German-British illustrator and artist. In her award-winning work, she combines illustration with social themes such as community, urban space, and the environment. Through her books, she invites children and adults alike to rediscover their surroundings and see everyday spaces through a new lens.
Duration: 1 hour
Location: Hall
Recommended age: Ages 8 and up
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Kathleen Rappolt
The Seven Ravens
Storytelling
The little sister walks to the end of the world to find her seven brothers and free them from a spell. Such a journey requires courage and confidence in oneself and one’s abilities. King Marc, too, faces a difficult inner struggle: He is a good king, yet beneath his crown he hides a secret that torments him. Will he find the courage to embrace who he truly is?
Kathleen Rappolt isa storyteller and theater educator from Berlin. With her poetic storytelling plays, she captivates children and adults both at home and abroad, building bridges between people through stories. As a member of the Theater o.N. ensemble and a storyteller withErzählZeit, she brings stories to life with her voice, facial expressions, and commanding stage presence.
Language: German & English
Duration: 1 hour
Venue: Saal
Recommended age: 7 and up